India, Afghanistan Renew Healthcare Ties with Focus on Advanced Diagnostics

During the bilateral meeting with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, India reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation, with a focus on ensuring the long-term supply of essential medicines.

India has renewed momentum in its healthcare engagement with Afghanistan following the visit of Afghan Minister of Public Health Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali to New Delhi, with both sides having reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored long-term cooperation in healthcare delivery, diagnostics, traditional medicine, and capacity building.

The visit comes against the backdrop of India’s long-standing humanitarian and healthcare assistance to Afghanistan, which has included medical visas, treatment support, supply of essential medicines, and donations of medical equipment.

Over the years, India has emerged as a key partner in supporting Afghanistan’s fragile healthcare system, particularly in tertiary care, diagnostics, and access to affordable medicines, areas where gaps remain significant due to years of conflict and economic stress.

During a bilateral meeting with Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda, India reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation, with a focus on ensuring the long-term supply of essential medicines.

A symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines was made during the visit, underlining India’s ongoing support for the medical needs of the Afghan population.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, a larger consignment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner is also being dispatched to Afghanistan to strengthen its diagnostic and treatment capabilities.

The Afghan minister also held discussions with Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, where both sides reviewed existing healthcare-related development projects and agreed to explore the formation of a Joint Working Group on Health.

The proposed mechanism is expected to institutionalise cooperation and provide a structured platform for dialogue on healthcare priorities, regulatory coordination, and future projects.

Discussions also covered the establishment of cancer treatment facilities in Afghanistan and the possibility of deploying Indian medical teams to support capacity-building programmes for Afghan doctors and healthcare professionals.

Traditional medicine and its role in complementing modern healthcare services also featured prominently in the talks.

Jalali met Minister of State for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav, with discussions focusing on knowledge exchange, education, research and regulatory cooperation in traditional medicine systems, seen as a cost-effective way to expand healthcare access in Afghanistan.

The visit, described as the first by a health minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to India, underscores a people-centric approach to bilateral engagement, with healthcare emerging as a critical pillar.

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